December 1, 2013 Volume 6 Issue 12

Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA 3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL 35811 Office 256.539.2418 Fax 256.539.2492 e-mail:fpcsecretary1@gmail.com

The HAND of Fellowship (Helpful and Nurturing Disciples)

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley, Pastor

Motto The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and

Sending people with Christ.

Vision

Fellowship is a Christian ministry that glorifies God and transforms humanity by doing justice, living

mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Mission

Fellowship is called to make disciples by leading

people into a personal relationship with God

through Jesus Christ and equipping them for the work of ministry in the

church, community, and world.

Fellowship Celebrates its 53rd Anniversary through Games, Dinner, and Worship

Joyce Pettis Temple Games and Dinner, Friday night Who were the original three trustees of Fellowship Presbyterian Church? Can you name the choir member who can ‘raise the rafters’ with her voice?

If you know the answers to these two questions along with many others about the history of Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA over its fifty-three years, then your team might have had a chance to win “Fellowship Feud” on Friday night. The church’s 53rd birthday celebration kicked off with questions like these,

organized into five categories that spanned the existence of Fellowship. Enthusiasm for the fun game quickly spread among those present. “Fellowship Feud” was designed to include all those who wanted to play; divided into teams of five, the game was complete with spotters and scorers. Brenda Davis was both fierce MC and the creative impulse for the game. When music was needed in the game, pianist Toni Franklin provided it. Cheryl Johnson, Gloria Evans, Felix Battle, Lucille Grayson, and the irrepressible Reverend Gregory Bentley were on the winning team. Each of them was awarded a gift card to Walmart. After the game, members enjoyed the Old-Fashioned Fish Fry prepared by Tim Smith and company. The fall-season table décor was assembled by Joyce Pettis Temple. George Grayson blessed the food, and Jacqueline Bennett introduced the occasion. The evening was exuberant and timely, with all events concluded by 7:30 p.m.

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L-R: Felix Battle, Reverend Gregory and Johari Bentley, Brenda Davis, Lucille Grayson, Gloria Evans, Cheryl Johnson

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STAFF

Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Pastor

Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry

Mrs. Antoinette “Toni” Franklin Director Inspiration/Gospel Choir

Ms. Darlene Richardson Temporary Children’s/Youth Choir Director

Mr. Phillip Saulsbury Early Morning Musician

Mr. Jason Sellers Temporary Musician/Pianist Children’s/Youth

Choir

Mr. Frederick Grant Percussionist

Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES Early Morning Service 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues) 6:00 p.m. Chancel (Tues) 7:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed) Noon Prayer Service (Wed) 6:30 p.m. Youth and Children Bible Study (Thurs.) 5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m.

Church Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

256.539.2418 fpcsecretary1@gmail.com

Newsletter Team

Dr. Barbara Anthony Mrs. Pauline Bodiford Mrs. Gladys P. Bracy

Ms. Cheryl K. Johnson Mrs. Mary E. Mitchell

Dr. Joyce Pettis Temple Mrs. Lois N. Thompson

Photographers

Mr. Christopher Gaines Dr. and Mrs. James (Gertrude) Hicks

DATES TO REMEMBER December

1 – First Sunday in Advent 1 - Hanging of the Greens 2-Worship Ministry Team meeting at 1:00 p.m. 4-Christian Education Ministry Team meeting at 5:30 p.m. 6-7-Fellowship Leadership Retreat meeting at 9:00 daily 8- 2nd Sunday in Advent 10 –Human Rights Day 

10 - Property and Maintenance Team meeting at 12:00 Noon 11– Witness and Service meeting at 5:30 p.m. 12- Stewardship & Finance meeting at 5:30 p.m. 14- Evangelism Ministry Team meeting at 2:00 p.m. 15– Third Sunday in Advent 15-Christmas Program at 5:00 p.m. 17- PW Christmas celebration at 6:00 p.m. 18- Food Distribution, 1:00- 2:00 p.m. 21-Presbyterian Men meeting at 8:00 a.m. 22– Fourth Sunday in Advent 22 - Senior High Youth meeting after church 24 - Christmas Eve 25– Nativity of Jesus Christ /Christmas 31– Watch Night

Fellowship's Food Distribution for November 2013

On Wednesday, November 20, eighty-one boxes of food were distributed to local families. Twelve boxes were given as Thanksgiving boxes to families who are not on our monthly list. Special thanks to all of those who assisted in various ways during the three days of preparation in shopping for food, boxing food for readiness to families, and then distributing it, including a few home deliveries. These generous people are Haley Bone, Lois Dade, Theodore Dixie, Marvell Foard, Gertrude Hicks, Dorothy Johnson, Mary Peagler, Robert Peagler, Johnny Reed, Tim Smith, Joyce Pettis Temple, Anthony Thompson, and Bob Wilson. The Witness and Service Ministry Team oversees the distribution. The food is purchased from the North Alabama Food Bank.

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Sunday’s Worship Services, 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Where are we going from here? Do we have a vision of where God wants us to go as a congregation? More questions, but these from guest preacher Reverend Dr. Lonnie Oliver as the church anniversary events continued and concluded on Sunday with

the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The theme was “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand,” and the guiding scripture was found in Matthew 9: 35-38. Reverend Oliver, Director, Office of African American Congregational Support, PC(USA), preached as if he might have ripped a page from Reverend Bentley’s sermon book. Speaking at both services from the topic, “See What God Sees,” Reverend Oliver emphasized the need for a vision, for discerning where God is leading his people, and for seeing what God is leading us to do by using our imagination, that is, listening to God’s inner voice within ourselves. He also included issues such as what kind of members do churches want in their congregation and questioned whether we would welcome socially undesirable people to God’s church family. Although Reverend Oliver said he wasn’t a singer, he nevertheless launched forth singing a few lines of The Temptations’ “Just my Imagination” to illustrate the point of discerning and one’s ability to imagine. The congregation was not unfamiliar with the tune or the lyrics.

Reverend Ol iver congratulated church members on fifty-three years of faith and perseverance. Charter members Norman Fletcher and Mattie

Ford, present during the 11:00 a.m. service, were recognized and applauded. Additionally, new albs for the acolytes, worn for the first time on Anniversary Sunday, were blessed during the service. The congregation also sang its specially composed anniversary hymn, “In Celebration,” music by Bill Davis and words by Brenda Davis.

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Following the service, several members and Reverend Bentley dined with Reverend Oliver (Dutch treat for members) at the Red Lobster restaurant. The beautiful floral arrangements that graced the sanctuary were given to Flossie ‘Mullie’ Henderson (mother of Barbara Anthony) and to Reverend and Diann Bentley. Congratulations and thanks to the anniversary team—Sarah Ford, convenor; Toni Franklin, Brenda Davis, Cliff Canady, and George Grayson—for a well-planned and executed weekend of commemoration.

Blessing the new albs worn by the acolytes.

Reverend Bentley’s Quips and Quotes

“Don’t be a spiritual plagiarist; when God has done something for you, give him the credit.”

Sermon, “A Healing Touch,” Sept 1, 2013.

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Christmas Musical “Celebrating Christmas at the Manger” is the theme of this year’s Christmas program, sponsored by the music ministry of Fellowship. Various musical groups in the community and in the church will lend

their voices in celebrating the birth of Christ. From Fellowship, the Chancel and Inspirational Choirs will sing and the Fine Young Men of Fellowship (lovingly called the Fellowship Five) will provide their own special blend of music. Community groups participating this year are the Alpha Ensemble of Delta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Huntsville Spiritual Chorale, the Singing Pearls of Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Huntsville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Chorus. The program is scheduled for December 15, 2013, at 5:00 in the evening. Please come and celebrate this special time of year, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ..

Circles Luncheon

L-R: Mary Mitchell, Barbara Anthony, Joyce Pettis Temple

The Circles luncheon is sponsored by the Christian Women’s Job Corps, a non-profit organization with the goal of building the skills and spiritual growth of young ladies. Dr. Barbara Anthony first introduced the Presbyterian Women to the Corps and its director Elaine Dickson when Barbara was chair of the PW Concerns Committee. Since that time clothes and office supplies have been donated to the Corps as well as PWs attending the luncheon. Barbara Anthony, Joyce Pettis Temple and Mary Mitchell attended the 2013 luncheon. Chef Roland Mesnier, the longest serving chef in the White House with service spanning twenty-six years and five presidents, was the guest speaker. Chef Mesiner demonstrated his talent in using spun sugar to create beautiful decorative pieces, such as a camellia bloom.. A slide presentation showed the favorite spun sugar items of various first ladies. Chef Mesnier’s presentation was tempered with a bit of humor and history about each of the first families he served.

Volunteer Extraordinaire Dorothy Johnson is pictured in the North Alabama Food Bank newsletter, while working at a recent cabbage crop drop. She is instrumental in getting crop drop vegetables to the families served by the Fellowship food distribution program.

Magazine Donations Thanks to Lucille Grayson and Carolyn Jackson for magazines which are donated to Huntsville Hospital. Please check the date on your magazines before donating. Only magazines dated one year or less from the date of donation are accepted.

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Second Annual Leadership Retreat

Fellowship’s leadership retreat is scheduled for December 6-7, 2013, at Fellowship. Elders, deacons, trustees and other church leaders are expected to attend. If you plan to attend, please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex.

CONGREGATION MEETING OCTOBER 20, 2013

Officers elected at the congregation meeting were: Elders Class of 2014:

George Grayson Walter Watson (Completing terms of Elders Lane and Ford)

Elders Class of 2016:

Jane Ford Tonya Gaines Robert Peagler

Deacons Class of 2016:

Jannie Campbell-Jones Christopher Gaines Johnnie McAlpine

Trustees Class of 2016:

Kenneth King Congregation approved: The congregation also approved the five core practices, which will be the basis of ministry review audits in 2014. The Core Practices: Passionate Worship- with intense desire and fervent spirit, we honor God for who God is and what God has done with the purpose of connecting people to God. This type of worship is not performance but rather devotion and celebration expressing our love of God. Radical Hospitality- we offer the absolute utmost of ourselves, our creativity, and our abilities to offer the gracious invitation and welcome of Christ to others. We pray, plan, and work to invite others and help them feel welcome and to support them in their spiritual journeys. Intentional Faith Development- we deliberately and purposefully engage in Bible studies, daily devotion, church school classes, small groups, and retreats to mature in our faith and in our knowledge and love of God. Risk-taking Witness and Service- we cooperate

‘Crop Drop ’ Scheduled for Fellowship in January 2014

Definition of crop drop: Thousands of pounds of a fresh from-the-field vegetable ‘dropped’ on one’s property. We will have a “crop drop” of sweet potatoes at Fellowship on the third Saturday, January 18, 2014. If the weather is too cold, the drop will be held at the old farmer's market on Cook Avenue. We anticipate inviting auxiliaries from churches such as Lakeside, Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian, and St. John AME, along with all of us, to bag the potatoes for distribution to food agencies. We especially want our youth to participate. The coordinator of the crop drop has a database of volunteers, so although we will invite other churches, the coordinator will send out a call to the regular volunteers. The work is highly organized, and it will not take all day to complete. The Witness and Service Ministry Team is spearheading the event with Joyce Pettis Temple and Bob Wilson coordinating it for Fellowship.

with God in moving out of our comfort zone to engage in work in the church, community, and world that alleviates suffering and injustice to improve the conditions of others in the name of Christ. Extravagant Generosity- we joyfully and sacrificially give and share of all that we have in order to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ.

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George Grayson Honored

(adapted from article by Steve Doyle, al.com) The Huntsville City Council honored nine local African-American leaders during Black History Month, including our church member, George Grayson. Grayson was recognized as the first African American Huntsville resident elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. A graduate of Alabama A&M University, Grayson "forced into reality" single-member voting districts that led to the election of the first African-American members of the Huntsville City Council, Huntsville Board of Education and Madison County Commission.

On Monday, November 18, 2013, Destine’ Brown was inducted into the Lee High School National Beta Club. Its purpose is “to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership, and service among school students.” Students can’t just decide they want to join the organization; they have to be recommended by a teacher who feels they demonstrate responsibility to the school and community. Destine’ performed with her group, Destine’ Brown and Company, comprised of fellow students. Accompanied by a violinist, flutist, and saxophonist, Destine’ played bass. At the ceremony the advisor announced that the goals of the organization for

the remaining year are to (1) collect stuffed animals (bears) for eighty students ages 3 to 5 for Martin Luther King Elementary School (2) collect age appropriate books to accompany the animals, and (3) collect canned goods for donation to the Downtown Rescue Mission. We are blessed to have a young person in the church and community who is the embodiment of service. Destine’, we are proud of you.

In Loving Memory We are asking your prayers and expressions of Christian love for the Dees family. The funeral service for our beloved Mrs. Constance “Connie” Y. Dees (Earnest) was held on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 12 Noon at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Connie’s ministries included participation in the Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Women, Sunday School teacher for over twenty-five years, volunteer of the FASST program, and service on various committees of the church and the North Alabama Presbytery. She was also a diligent student of the Bible. Let us remember the Dees family in our prayers.

Submitted by Linda Burruss

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Acolyte Schedule

16 Kanika and Lewis Singleton III 20 Lucille and George Grayson 22 Joyce and Enoch Temple 23 Mary and Horace Mitchell

4 Jannie Campbell-Jones 5 Henry Muse 8 Valerie Jackson 9 Reginald Grayson 13 James Steele 16 Lewis Singleton, III 17 Archie M. Johnson 18 Clifton Canady 18 Kimberley Evans 18 Mattie Ford 20 Michele Hicks 22 Jason A. Anthony 29 Gregory Dees 30 B. Janine Anthony 30 Vincent Brown 30 Denita Gardner- Walker 31 Calvin Ford

December 1 Leyanda Jones and Kyler Evans

December 8

Destine' Brown and Dana Bone

December 15 Destiny Canady and Gakari Horton Burks

December 22

Parker Ford and Ryan Gordon

December 29 Demetrius Davis and Jeremy Crummie

**Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your scheduled Sunday** If there is a problem with the schedule, please contact Ollie Smith at olliemsmith@aol.com or 256-527-4147. Thank you in advance for your participation! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and his church does not go unnoticed.

DONORS OF ALTAR FLOWERS

Poinsettias – Presbyterian Women

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Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members

Gerald Benson Brother-in-law of Minnie Moore

Fannie Brooks Adams

Aunt of Martha Mullins

Doris Bradford Sister of Haley Bone

Robert “Larry” Cleveland

Brother-in-law of Bettye Dixie and Carolyn Jackson

Mary B. Dixie Mother of Theodore Dixie, Sr.

Flossie Henderson

Mother of Barbara Anthony

Stokley Gardner Brother of Lloyd Gardner

Woodie Lane, Jr.

Stepson of Rosalie Lane

Lou Helen Williams Prentice Sister of Bettye Dixie and Carolyn Jackson

Shielda Yvonne Ross

Sister of Thomas Ross

Luther Scales Brother of Geneva Scales Wright

Fannie P. Thompson

Sister of Lois Dade and Eulasteen Muse

Valerie Thompson Sister of Debra Evans

Hattie Wall

Sister of Charles Penn

Roderick Wall Nephew of Charles Penn

LaVon White

Son of Thomas and Doretha Ross

Fellowship Member Sick List

The Prayer of Faith

James 5:13-16

“ 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

The Jackie Bennett Family (daughter Monica and twin sons, Stephen and Michael)

Bob Bodiford Clara Bryant

Wilbert Cooper Carmen Jackson Elston

Richard Evans Carrie Foard

Jonathan Ford Thelma Gardner Minnie Moore Henry Muse Dana Smith

Herbert Canady – 1955 Curtis Jones – 1969 Martha B. Cooper – 1992 S. T. Johnson – 1993 Elizabeth Herndon – 1993 S. Q. Bryant – 1996 Daisy Watson – 1997 C. S. Scales – 2000 Judge Harris – 2001

Annie Loritts – 2003 Josephine Barden – 2004 Arthur Cunningham – 2004 Silvester Doster – 2004 Mary Ruth Echols – 2006 Marshall Fallin – 2006 Vera Thompson - 2010

Newsletter Deadline Articles for the newsletter should be submitted to Mary Mitchell at mitchell623100@bellsouth.net and cc the church secretary at: fpcsecretary1@gmail.com not later than the 3rd Friday of the month.

In Loving Memory